Ryanair made losses of more than £17million in the third quarter of 2018 amid pilot strikes, cancellations and confusing new baggage rules, it has been revealed today.

The Irish carrier booked a pre-tax loss of £19.3 million in the three months to December 31, which compares to a £98.8 million profit in the same period last year.

This comes after the beleaguered low-cost airline finished bottom of the respected Which? annual airline survey for the sixth consecutive year.

The airline said it flew 32.7 million customers in the quarter, an increase of 8%, and recorded revenue of 1.53 billion euros – up nearly 10%

Ryanair faced 'a host of challenges' in 2018

Ryanair’s reputation has declined so much thousands of respondents told Which? that they would never again fly Ryanair – even if it was cheaper than its rivals.

Of those who said there was one airline with which they’d never travel, 70 per cent named Ryanair – no other airline came close.

Ryanair ruined the holiday plans of thousands of people in 2018 by cancelling flights and then refusing to pay its passengers compensation – resulting in the Civil Aviation Authority taking enforcement action.

The airline made £1.75billion last year from ‘extras’ – 28 per cent of its revenue.

Assigned seating on the airline can cost up to £30 each for a return journey, priority boarding, which includes a wheelie cabin case, costs an extra £12 and the cost of checking in extra luggage can also be significant.

The airline also repeatedly tinkered with its luggage rules, risking confusion among passengers with three separate changes over the course of the year.

In the consumer champion’s poll passengers gave the budget carrier the lowest possible rating for boarding, seat comfort, food and drink, and cabin environment – leaving it with a dismal overall customer score of 40 per cent.

Ryanair racked up net losses of £17.5 million, citing weaker-than-expected air fares among a host of challenges.

The firm also blamed excess winter capacity in Europe for a 6% reduction in average fares to under 30 euros, while the airline also had to contend with higher costs from fuel, staff and compensation claims.

It comes after a profit warning last month.

The airline has also unveiled a management shake-up that will see boss Michael O'Leary head up the group for another five years.

Revenue was up 9% to 1.53 billion euros (£1.3 billion) and the airline said it flew 32.7 million customers in the quarter, an increase of 8%.

Mr O'Leary said: 'While a 20 million euro loss in quarter three was disappointing, we take comfort that this was entirely due to weaker-than-expected air fares so our customers are enjoying record low prices, which is good for current and future traffic growth.